Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ An American Dragon in Nerima ❯ Chapter the Eleventh ( Chapter 11 )

An American Dragon in Nerima

The week following Ranma's return to his home in Juuban had been strangely quiet for what was usually a bustling household.  Granted the fathers were crying up a storm at the distinct possibility of the Saotome-Tendo union not happening.  In fact, earlier in the week, Nodoka had stopped by, supposedly to talk to Kasumi about wedding plans, but let slip that Ranma had moved in with her, was doing quite well at Juuban High, and was dating an older woman.  That had surprised the eavesdropping fathers.  And when Akane had heard that news, she went ballistic.

Kasumi had kept a calm front about it, but was upset that her baby sister would act like a spoiled brat-albeit a spoiled brat that could seriously injure someone.  Add to the fact that she was still upset with Ryouga's deception as her pet pig P-Chan, putting him into the hospital for an extended stay, Akane needed a serious cooling down.

Marx spent the week bouncing around Japan.  His assignment as the 374th Security Forces Squadron's military-civil affairs troubleshooter had gotten not just CINCPACAF's attention, but also CINCPAC's, and had him reviewing policies at all the bases in Japan.  It also required him to review a few serious incidents and adjust policy for those bases.  In fact, that Saturday had him on a C-21 enroute to Yokota from Kadena, asleep in the back.

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It was that morning that one of Ranma's former formally recognized fiancées was being removed from consideration.  Shampoo should have realized something when she walked down the stairs from the apartments above the dining room in the Nekohanten.  The lights were off, as candles threw guttering pools of light, reminding the Amazon of her village.  But what really should have tipped her off was that Cologne wasn't perched on her staff.  Add the fact that she, along with Mousse and Tigar, were in formal robes, and not their usual clothes.

"Xian Pu," Cologne intoned formally, "have you found any trace of Son-in-Law?"

"No, Great-Grandmother."  Shampoo replied tensely, although she had schooled her features.  She'd failed time after time to capture the aquatransexual who defeated her on a regular basis.  And she knew the penalty for failure.

As much as she enjoyed her semiretirement in Nerima, far away from Council politics, with it's never ending martial arts floorshow, and the continual training Ranma before he left-it was a pleasure for the elder to teach someone who lived, breathed and slept the Art-but Cologne would much rather have the boy in the tribe, even despite the fact he was trained in that despicable pervert's art.  And Shampoo's bungled attempts to woo the boy by magic didn't help.

Plus, when the fact that Shampoo spent most of the past week at the Tendos watching over both the family and Dai Ryuujin no Nishi without successfully locating the golden key that, by right of conquest, was an Amazon possession was added to the mix, it didn't look good for the lavender haired warrior.

There was an additional factor that added in to Cologne's decision to cut the Amazons losses in Nerima and run-internal tribal politics.  The matriarch's eyes and ears within the village were sending her reports that rival elders were planning something against her for her failure to bring the Saotome boy into the tribe as well as her failure to deal with the silver dragon.

"Xian Pu," Cologne said, "you have failed in capturing the heart of the warrior Ranma Saotome, and bring him into the tribe.

"You have failed to retrieve a rare Amazon treasure held in the clutches of the vile Dai Ryuujin no Nishi.

"While in the lair of the wily beast, you failed to eliminate an enemy of the tribe.  Dai Ryuujin no Nishi yet breathes, and you did nothing about him.

"You have been found wanting as an Amazon, Xian Pu; a failure to your family, your clan, your tribe, and your ancestors.

"Before sentence is passed, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

With fire in her eyes, Shampoo held her tongue.  Even though she wanted to blame her great-grandmother as the cause of her failures-for not training her in the more advanced techniques, and for not teaching her the necessary magic-the lavender haired warrior knew when to fight and when to admit she lost.  This was one battle that she lost.  "No, Elder," she replied, neutrally.  "I do not.  My failures are my own.  My dishonor is my own."

"Know then this- Xian Pu, you are no longer an Amazon warrior."  At a subtle signal from Cologne, Tigar took a pair of barber shears and cut short Shampoo's long hair.  Cologne continued.  "You are cast out of the Clan, the Tribe, and your family.  Seek not aid or comfort in Amazon territory.

"Be gone, Lost One."  As Shampoo fled the restaurant that had been her home for the past two years, Cologne turned to the other Amazons.  "Find me Saotome.  Tell him that the Kiss of Marriage and Kiss of Death have been annulled, and that the Amazons wish to discuss reconciliation and the possibilities of an alliance."  Tigar and Mousse bowed and left the restaurant.
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Marx was walking into the compound, dog-tired from his flight back from Kadena.  Granted he slept most of the flight, it was still a long flight, but it was still the aggravation of going to Okinawa to look at what the Marines were doing wrong when they were off duty.  Almost immediately something felt…odd.  And if it wasn't the familiar kitten with the purple feet in front of him, then he was Napoleon Bonaparte.  "Hello, Xian Pu."  The kitten gave a pitiful meow.  "Let me get you some hot water so it doesn't look so odd."  The kitten meowed again.  "And a robe, I know."  He picked the kitten up and carried her into the Tendo home.

"Eventful week, Christopher?"  Kasumi asked as her fiancé walked into the kitchen.  "Hello, Shampoo."  The kitten nodded at Kasumi.

"You could say that.  Is the kettle on?  I need to have a talk with Shampoo."

Kasumi looked slightly abashed.  "Since Ranma left, I haven't really thought about having it ready.  I'll put it on now."

"Thanks, Kasumi."  Marx looked at the kitten squirming in his arms.  "Relax, Shampoo.  We'll get you a robe."  He handed her off to Kasumi, and headed back to their room to change out of his Class-Bs.  He returned a few minutes later carrying a robe.  "I'll…" he said, as he motioned to leave the kitchen.  Kasumi nodded.

One cloud of steam later, Kasumi called her fiancé back in.  "Tea will be ready in a few minutes."  The eldest Tendo daughter had such a look of shock on her face that she slipped back into her safe place: her role as homemaker.

"Thanks."  Marx looked at the roughly shorn Amazon in front of him.  He slipped into her native Joketsuzoku-accented Mandarin.  "So what happened?"

Shampoo sighed and looked at the dragon turned man with a dejected look.  "Great Grandmother kicked me out of the tribe.  I'm no longer an Amazon."

"For what?"

"For failing to bring Ranma around to love me, for failing to bring in your golden key, for failing to kill you."

"Damn," Marx said.  He quickly translated the conversation so far for Kasumi.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Shampoo.  If you need anything…"

"I do.  Lodging would be appreciated.  But I no able to pay rent."

"And I doubt Akane would like you sleeping here," Kasumi said.  "She still thinks that you're after Ranma."

"If I know Great Grandmother, that first thing she cancel.  Ranma no have to worry about Kiss of Marriage.  But Great Grandmother will try to ally Ranma with Joketsuzoku against Dai Ryuujin no Nishi."

"Well, I'm sure Ranma may appreciate that," Marx said.  "We'll tell him after we find him."  He looked at the former Amazon.  "And as for you, this is Japan.  You have no working papers, no sponsors here.  If Immigration finds you here without those, you'll be deported back to China.  And back to your village, where I'm sure you'll find almost certain death.

"I have a suggestion, Xian Pu, but I don't know if you'll agree to it.  Let me talk to Kasumi first, since she might be a part of it."  The former Amazon nodded, letting Marx pull his fiancée into the dining room.

"What is it?"

Marx sighed.  He wasn't ready for this, at all. And he really didn't know how Kasumi would react or respond to it.  "There's something that's been in the back of my mind, ever since I told Shampoo my side of Jusenkyo's history: 'What if she gets kicked out of her tribe?' And I was going to tell you this before it happened, but events were pushed out of control, even for me."

"So what was your backup plan?"  Kasumi had a hint of suspicion in her voice, similar to when he took her to the base Armed Forces Day dinner dance.  He hadn't wanted to tick her off then, and he still didn't want to tick her off now.

Marx licked his lips.  He was nervous-as nervous has he'd ever been in either of his entire lives.  "I was going to suggest that I or we, if it happened after our wedding, adopt Shampoo."

Kasumi sighed in relief.  "For a moment there, I thought you were going to marry her as well."

"Well, it had crossed my mind.  Polygamous marriages are still on the books."  Marx was glad that Kasumi didn't have her favorite butcher's knife in her hand then, even though he was saying it with a smile.  "But I didn't think you were that traditional."

"You can be such a pain.  But I still love you."

"So what are we going to do about Shampoo?"

"Broach the question to her.  It's her decision, although I doubt she'd be thrilled to have my baby sister as her aunt."

"True, but since Ranma left, it's not like they'll be vying for his affections."  Marx said.  "I'll broach it with her; are you ready for a seventeen year old daughter with her own ideas on life and marriage?"

Kasumi chuckled.  "I am.  After all, who do you think raised Nabiki and Akane after Mother died?  But are you?" 

Marx nodded his head.  "Good point.  Then we'll present this with a united front."  Kasumi nodded, and the couple walked back into the kitchen.  Marx cleared his throat.  "Xian Pu, I…" he looked at his fiancée for support before continuing, "we would like to adopt you."

"Why?"

"It would make you 'legal' to the Japanese government.  But, and most importantly, it would remove any stain on your honor from your banishment from the Joketsuzoku."

"That still doesn't answer my question, Yin Zi. Why would you adopt me?"

"I would also hope that it would end three thousand years of hostility between the Amazons and myself."

"I don't know if that would work, Yin Zi.  But I will think about it."

"Shampoo, you are still welcome to lodging and meals here."  Kasumi said with a smile.  "I'll make sure that Akane understands that you're a houseguest."

"Thank you, Kasumi.  Your hospitality is most welcome."

"You will be in my old room again, Shampoo," Kasumi offered.  "After we fix that hair of yours."  Shampoo bowed, grateful that they had offered her lodging and meals, and a chance to regain her damaged honor. 

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Off the Pacific coast of Japan, on one of the smaller islands, an eye opened.  Firespur lifted her head and glared in the direction of her hated rival.  "I'll get you, Draconarius.  You and your pathetic little human pet.  No matter how long it takes, you will pay."  The red dragoness looked at her injured body.  It was even amazing that the dragon even survived getting hit by a Sidewinder missile.  Her body was covered with multiple 3rd degree burns, gashes through the skin right down to the bone, her left wing was dragging on the ground, broken and the skin torn.  She would be the perfect target for a younger red to take on and defeat.  "Perhaps after I recuperate, however."  After the casting of a healing spell that barely managed to mend broken bones and skin tears in her damaged wing, Firespur leapt into the air, wincing with every wing beat back to her lair.

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As Shampoo left the kitchen for her new room, Marx barely suppressed a shudder, like someone was walking over his grave.  "Is something wrong?"  Kasumi has a nervous expression on her face as she asked.

Marx took a sip of his green tea, and tried to remain calm about it.  "I'm not sure.  Although I think someone I thought dead isn't."

"Oh dear, I hope you don't have to fight her again," Kasumi was interrupted as her fiancé pulled her into his arms.

"Kasumi, I don't want to fight her either.  But if I must, then I must.  And like I said, she's prideful.  And I know what mistakes she'll make this time.  And if luck is on my side, we won't have to worry about her."